Call up the walking wounded.

We British like our traditions, but there are times when they verge on the ridiculous. One tradition is that, in order to register their vote, an MP must present him or herself physically in the voting lobbies. Realising that they were in danger of losing a vote, the Government called back two ministers from official trips abroad so that they could take part. Presumably, having done this, they will then return abroad to carry on doing whatever they were doing there. At what cost to the public purse? Surely in this day and age, and given the appropriate safeguards, there is a case for allowing voting by proxy.